Drifter -
I don't know the particulars of the GH hatcheries but a factor that has had a huge role in the past decisions about closures is the funding sources of the various hatcheries. Some of the hatcheries have relied more on State $$ for funding, others are funded by private funds (PUD's etc) and others by the feds (Columbia Mitchell act hatcheries).

As a result when the State budget ax falls those hatcheries that were funded with State dollars are the ones lost. The end result is that hatchery production (whether trout, steelhead, or salmon) cuts have hit western Washington harder than Eastern Washingotn and Puget Sound/Coast harder than SW Washington.

The State in general and WDFW in particular have been facing and will continue to face some hard decisions. The end result is that the fishing landscape in this state will be changing dramatically. It is the unfortunate reality of today's world that politics has been and will be the driver in many of those decision.

Tight lines
Curt